William hochhausee



(No Model.) W. HOCHHAUSEN.

SWITCH AED HOLDER EOE INCANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMPS. No. 357,285. I Patented Peb. 8, 1887.

Timur I .mfnesses N. ps rzns` Phnnrumowpher. washington. n4 u UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HOCHHAUSEN, OF NEYV YORK, N.

VSWITCH AND HOLDER FOR INCANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part o Letters Patent No. 357,385, dated February 8, 1887.

i l Application filed March 13, 1884. Sel-lul No. 124,026. (No model.)

lamps, and its object is to simplify and improve the construction, to prevent burning of the switch-contacts, and to provide for the ready and convenient renewal of the parts, more especially of the fusible safetywire in the larnp-circuit, which is arranged to fuse and break the circuit of the lamp upon a dangerous increase in the electric current.

My invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts that will be hereinafter described, in connection with the accompanying drawings, and will be stated specifically in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of alamp containing a switch and holder constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2is a vertical central section of thesame on theline 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the switch and holder with the outer casing removed, in order to permit the details of construction to be seen, but with the removable base or bloclgto which the lamp is secured, reversed in position from the position shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is aplan of are1nov ablelamp base or block to which the lamp is secured. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the cylinder or casing containing the switch mechanism, and illustrates the fastening or 'holding device by which the lamp provided with its attached base is connected to the upper end of said casing, as to a switch or holder. Fig. 8 is a vertical central section of a modification and illustrates the construction adopted when no switch is employed. Fig. 9 illustrates in elevation the detachable lamp base or block, and in plan the-socket or holder to which it may be secured.

A indicates a base-plate, of metal or other suitable material,provided with a thimble, b,

having a screw-thread by which it may be se cured to a bracket or other suitable support and made to form a passage for the insulated conductors a carried through the bracket or support and connected to the lamp-switch, as will be presently described. The plate A carries a block, B, preferably of insulating material, that forms a support for the switch mechanism and the contact springs ory surfaces by which the lamp-terminals may be placed in electrical connection with the switch and cony ductors a a, and also carries the cylinder C,

of brass or other suitable material, that serves to protect the switch mechanism, and is fastened in place by a screw, d, passing into the block B, or by other suitable means. The block B is fastened to the plate A by screws c c or other device, and is cut away at its bottorn portion over the opening in plate A, so as to form a space for the entrance of the insulated conductors c a2. slot or opening, as shown, to form a space for the play of two contact-springs, E El, secured to the block, and of a cam, D, of insulating material, secured to the horizontal spindle 'of thumb-piece F, lying outside of casing O. The block D is made in the form of a rectangle, in order to furnish sharp angles at the portion bearing against the springs, so as to give a snapping action in opening and closing the switch.

The springs E E2 by their resiliency "and to spring inward towardlone another when the cam D is given a quarter-turn in either direction from the position shown in Fig. l, but are held by said cam in connectionwith two oontact plates or surfaces, G G2, of any suitable kind,when the cam is in position shown. The plates G G2 are fastened to opposite sides of the block B, and their ends project over the vertical slot on the block and into the path of the springs E E2. The plates G G2 are electrically connected by means of the fastening bolt or screw g, or by other suitable device, and serve to complete the electrical -connection between the springs E E2, when the latter are forced into contact with them by the cam D.

H H2 indicate two contact-springs mounted at the top of block B and lying in a horizontal plane. One of them, H2, is directly connected with, or forms an extension of, the spring F, but the other is insulated from E. These springs HHl are insulated from one an- It also has a vertical other and form the means whereby the lamp, ,l

when in place, is put in electrical connection with the conductors a a2, one of which latter, a, is in direct electrical connection with the spring H, being fastened or otherwise electrically connected with the end thereof, as shown, while the other is fastened to the end of spring E, and is connected with H, when the cam D is in the position shown, through E G g G2 E2.

As will be observed, the circuit from Hlz to a2 passes through switch-contacts G G2 in series, and the effect of operating the switch is to break the circuit in two places. rlhis is a feature of some importance, as it is largely instrumental in reducing the spark at rupture of the circuit over what would result if but one break were made in the circuit, as is ordinarily the case. This principle might obviously be extended and the break of circuit made to take place at three, four, or more points in series, by increasing the number of switch-contacts and springs electrically connected in series and operated simultaneously by any snitable means.

The block B and its attached parts form a separable part of the structure, and may be separately constructed from the other parts and then put in place in the structure by simply attaching the block B to the base-plate A. When the connections of the conductors a a2 are to be made with the switch, the case or cylinder is removed, and ready access to the parts is thus secured.

An incandescent lamp of any usual construction is indicated at I, and its neck is supported in a spring-clip (indicated at K) that rises from or forms a part of a metallic cylinder or envelope, L, secured to a block, M, of insulating material. The latter forms the lamp base or support proper, and' carries the terminals lor devices by which contact is made with the springs H H2, as well as clips or connection by which immediate connection is made with the lamp-conductors passing from the lamp itself. The latter devices consist of two spring-clamps, it, into which the exterior ends of the entering conductors pass, and in which they are secured by the clamp-screws indicated. rllhe lamp-base MV carries also the fastening devices by which the lampis secured to the holder or socket formed by the upper end of cylinder C, so as by means of springs H H2 to be in connection with the conductors au?. The latter device consists, simply, of two pins or lugs, a n, on block or base M,that are adapted, after the lamp is inserted properly and turned in its socket, to be brought into place beneath the projections 19 p at the upper and inner side of'cylinder C, as indicated n Fig. 7, so as to hold the lamp in place on C, after the manner of a bayonet-joint. The lamp is held from turning back to a position where it may be removed by means ofthe incline formed by the turned-down ends of the springs H H2, upon which the ends of the pins m m2 in base M rest, in the positions indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, when the lamp is turned in its socket so as to be locked by the bayonetjoint attachment described.

The pins m m2 are electrically connected with the clips t' i2, and therefore with the entering-conductors of the lamp, as follows: Pinon is ascrew, by which the clamp t' is fastened to the base M. Pin or stud m2 is connected with i2 through a piece of lead wire or other suitable fusible material, r, forming a safety plug or wire that is of suitable resistance and fusibility to melt upon a rise in the strength of the current that would endanger the incandescing-strip inthe lamp. The fusible plug r lies in a slot or recess in the side of base M, and at one end is clamped between the end of a screw, i, that fastens clamp to the base M, and the end of a screw-pin, o, passing upward from the bottom of the base-block into the slot `in which the wire r lies. The other end of the wire is clamped between the end of the screw pin or stud m2 and the end of a screw, t, passing downward from the top of the block.

In Fig. 3 the lampbase M is shown reversed in position from the position shown in Fig. 2, and the connecting-pins are thrown out ot' line in order to better exhibit the mechanical and electrical relation of the parts. Vheu the base M is in position, as shown in Fig. 3, the

circuit is from the one connecting-spring H, through contact stud or pin mi, fusible wire r, clamp i?, the wires and filament of the lamp, (when the latter is attached toits base-block,) clamp t', conducting-pin m, and to spring H2 at the top of the switch-block B.

vIn case of destruction of a fusible plug, r, the lamp and its base are simply removed from the socket or support formed by the upper end of cylinder C, and the plug may then be readily removed without disturbing the lamp socket or support or the parts forming or containing the switch. The block B keeps the parts well insulated, and the case C forms ample protection. The operating parts of the switch are out of contact with the inner side ofsaid -cylinder C,which, being ofmetal, should be of sufficient size to leave ample space between its interior surface and the surfaces of the block and switch contacts and springs.

The switch mechanism is capable of being turned in either direction, and no damage can therefore result, as in some other switches, from an attempt to turn it in a reverse direction from that designed by the constructcr.

If no switch be employed, the construction indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 is adopted. The block B simply differs slightly in form from that shown in the other figures, and the ccnduetors a a? are clamped beneath the springs H H2, or otherwise connected to them, the latter being in this case fastened to the top of the block B. In other respects the construen tion is the same as already described.

Modifications in the form, mounting, cr disposition of the fusible plug may be readily made without departing from the invention,

for use with any means of holding together' the parts against tendency to vertical displacement.

What Iclaim as my invention is- 1. A base-plate or support for an incandescent lamp adapted for attachment to a bracket or other suitable support, and having an opening for the conducting-wires, in combination with an insulated block carried by said plate, and an electric switch and binding-screws for the conductors attached to the exterior of said block, said block and switch being` independ- 1 ent of, but placed within the usual casing or block for the various parts, whereby, on detaching said casing, all parts of the switch and connecting devices are exposed upon the block for ready manipulation.

2. In a switch and lamp-sup port for incandescent electric lamps, a block, B, of insulating material, having a support for the switch mechanism, and cut away at its bottoni to allow a passage for the conductors a c2, said block being independent of the metal casing within which it is supported. l

3. 4In an incandescent-lamp switch, the combination, with the vertically-arranged switchspring mounted on a vertically-slotted insulating-block, of the canrpiece rotating in the slot between the springs, and a transverse spindle extending through the metal casing and carrying at one end the cani, and at its outer end an operating thumb-piece, as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination, in an electric switch, of the two contactsprings fixed at one end and free at the other, contact blocks or anvils arranged opposite the free ends and outside of the same, a metal connection from one anvil or block to the other, and an operating campiece mounted on a spindle passing transversely between the springs, whereby on ro'- tating the spindle the springs may be thrown simultaneously into or out oi' contactwith the anvils, and the circuit may be thus broken at .two points.

5. The combination, with the verticallyslotted non-conducting block, of the two vertical springs, the electrically-united stops pro- 6o jecting over the slot into the path of the springs,

and the cam of insulating material adapted to be turned in the slot and between the springs.

6. The block B, of insulating material, carrying the vertically-arranged switch-springs, and the horizontal contact-springs arranged on top of the block for. the purpose of forming connection with the lamp-terminals.

7. In an incandescent-electric-lamp switch and support, an insulating block orrsupport carrying the switch mechanism and detachably secured to the baseplate,"aud a separable metallic or other casing supported on said base independently of the block..

8. In an incandescent-electric-lamp switch and support, the combination, with the perforated base-plate A, adapted for attachment to a bracket or other support, of an attached supporting -block, B, carrying the switch mechanism, anda separable metallic casing, C, as'and for the purpose described.

9. 'Ihe combination, with the removable incandescent lamp, of contactsprings having turned-down ends, contact studs adapted to bear ou said springs, and a bayonet-joint catch, as and for the purpose described.

l0. The combination, with a detachable lamp and its socket or support, of electric connecting devices consisting of one or more contact-studs secured to the one of the parts, and one or more contactsprings secured to the other part and having bent-down ends, said studs being adaptedto make rubbing contacts with the springs and to rest upon the turned-down ends when the lamp is turned in its socket or support to proper position, as and for the purpose described.

l1. rllhe combination, with the lamp-base properfor an incandescent electric lamp, of means for securing a fusible plug in the base, whereby the. plug `may be replaced on removal of the lamp from its support without disturbing the connections in said support or socket.

12. The combination, with the lamp-base proper, of a slot or groove in the side of said base, and means for holding a fusible plug in place in said groove, as and for the purpose described.

ICO

13. The combination,with the incandescent lan1p,of the base-M, of insulating material, removable with the lamp from the socket or support for the latter, and a fusible plug or wire, and means for clamping said plug or wire in the base, as and for the purpose described.

la. rlhe combination, with an incandescent electric lamp, of a base, M, of insulating material, removable with the lamp from the socket or support for the latter, a fusible plug or wire lying in a slot or groove in the side of the base, and clamp-screws for clamping the plug in contact with conducting pins or blocks, whereby it may be made to form a portion ofthe cir cuit in which the lamp is placed.

I5. rlhe combination, with the lamp-base proper for an incandescent lamp, of means for holding a fusible plug or wire in circuit with the filament, whereby when the lamp is removed frein its socket the parts securing the plug or wire will also be removed and a new plug or wire may be readily inserted.

16. rlhe combination, with an incandescent electric lamp, of a socket or holder for supporting the same, contact springs or surfaces carried by the lamp and its socket or holder,

respectively, whereby electrical connection beswitch mechanism, contact surfaces in the tween the lamp and the outside conductors block and base M, respectively, and means for will be made when the lamp is placed in its connecting the sleeve to the metal case or tube, socket, and a fusible plug between the lanipas and for the purpose described. 1 r 5 ilament and the contact-surfaces carried by Signed at New York, in the county of New said lamp, as and for the purpose described. York and State of New York, this 12th day of 17. The combination,with the metal case or March, A. H1884.

tube mounted in base-plate A, of the sleeve L, YVILLIAM HOCHHAUSEN. carrying theinsulating-base M for the lamp, a Witnesses;

1o block of insulating material rising within the THOS. TOOMEY,

case from the plate A and carrying the lamp- GEO. C. GOFFIN. 

